Schwamb cousins and siblings danced and performed at the Northfield Way Park Okee Dokee Brother's Concert. Check out the album. Justin and Joe autographed the kiddo's 8x10's of their private Red Wing Concert.

While at the dining room window checking my email after Pete had gone to work, a big black bear reached up to the bird feeder and scared me to death (I thought it was Big Foot!). I ran around shutting windows because he was sniffing so close to the windows.Then he lumbered over to the patio and starred at the cats. He was about 300 pounds. He went and hung over the stone house and sniffed at the grill.

I called 911 and as the deputy was driving up the driveway, the bear was heading straight for the squad car. He showed GG and I the video of the bear coming towards his car and then scrambling up the hill when he turned on the sirens and lights.

I asked him why he didn't shoot the bear and he said he wasn't allowed to so I asked if I could shoot it and he said no. Only if it becomes a nuisance will it be shot. I think blocking me from getting in my car and getting to work would be considered a nuisance.

Jonas and Riley spent New Year's Day in the valley creating button jewelry for their online jewelry store. All items are hand made by Riley and Jonas. Please come and shop. We have lots of inventory. All jewelry is $4 and $10. We have metal, wood and pearl buttons. Shipping $5.00.

We had an almost private concert with the Okee Dokee Brothers in a newly remodeled barn at the Anderson Tower site in Red Wing. Jonas, Parker and Noah got a private banjo lesson from Justin. How cool was that! Click here to see more photos.

We are all fine and able to get out of the valley by traveling several back roads. Miesville and surrounding areas were hit with very high winds, hail and more rain on Monday night. We had power by 9:00 a.m. but the power lines in Miesville were snapped in half and the road was closed. Pete made it to Cub where they had no power but were selling food if you had cash or checks. Our 5 acres has not been damaged at all. The driveway is holding up and hopefully we will get gravel and garbage pick up sometime this week.

After a power outage and 10 inches of rain we were unable get out of the ravine or our driveway. Trout Brook Bridge is an island with 15 ft of nothing surrounding it. Check out the pictures from some of the damage here. We are fine and no damage to our 5 acres. Our driveway needs some work and a new culvert will need to be put in. Miesville Trail is closed to thru traffic with a single lane that ends at the bridge.